At Lakeview Veterinary Hospital, we believe in good dental hygiene for pets. We’ve seen the damage and pain that can happen when a pet’s teeth are ignored for years and years. That’s why we recommend that your pet have a full dental exam as part of their regular wellness exams. We will let you know if there are any issues of concern and move forward with a more detailed exam, a dental cleaning and X-rays if necessary.

As per the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines, we only perform dental cleanings on anesthetized pets. To ensure your pet is healthy enough to tolerate anesthesia, we do require routine blood testing before the procedures.

Regular at-home brushing is one of the best ways to prevent serious dental issues and save you money in the long term. While it may take time to acclimate your pet to brushing, most eventually come to tolerate it and some even enjoy it. Our veterinarians and staff can show you how to brush your pet’s teeth. We can also provide other options such as chews, wipes, rinses and special foods if your pet is resistant to brushing or if it is not something you are able to do.

If you have questions about pet dental care, want brushing tips or to make an appointment for your pet, please give us a call at (504) 482-2173.

Microchipping is a painless, easy process that can be done while a pet is under anesthesia for another procedure or without anesthesia as part of a routine office exam. The microchip is contained in a biocompatible capsule smaller than a grain of rice that is placed under the skin. It’s non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and completely safe. Microchips are rated for 25 years, meaning they never need to be replaced or recharged during your pet’s lifetime.

At Lakeview Veterinary Hospital, we highly recommend microchips for all pets, especially given that we live in an area that is prone to natural disasters where pets can easily become lost. If you have questions about the process or want to get your pet “chipped”, just give us a call at (504) 482-2173.

Your Lakeview Veterinary Hospital veterinarian is a great source of information and can help advise you about what’s best for your pet. The fact is that every pet’s nutritional needs are different, based on age, breed, health conditions and lifestyle factors. For example, giant breeds such as Great Danes, mastiffs and giant schnauzers have unique needs that can’t always be met by commercial dog foods. Puppies require more calories than seniors, so your vet will recommend specially formulated foods for them and for animals who have certain health conditions, such as kidney disease. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices, marketing and online information. Our veterinarians and staff can take the guesswork out of feeding your pets and are here to answer any questions you may have—just give us a call at (504) 482-2173.

There are many different types of pain, and symptoms can vary depending on your pet and the intensity of pain being experienced. Our caring, compassionate staff and doctors are skilled in recognizing signs of pain in animals and developing an individualized plan for managing pain in our patients.

Chronic pain is the result of an unidentified injury, illness or ongoing medical condition such as arthritis or tooth decay. Pet parents may see the symptoms of chronic pain as “getting old” or “slowing down”, but in fact there are many therapies and treatments we can offer to lessen pain and improve your pet’s quality of life.

Acute pain usually comes on suddenly, is sharper and caused by something specific. Normally it can be remedied as a result of resolving the cause of the pain; however, we do provide urgent and emergency pain management as needed to make pets comfortable when treating them.

Finally, we also take great care to thoroughly manage pain that we can anticipate as a result of medical procedures such as surgery. We not only control pain during the procedure but throughout the treatment and recovery process. Options for treating pain vary and we will customize them based on your pet’s health and needs. If your pet is showing symptoms of pain or you have questions about pain management, give us a call at (504) 482-2173.

We’ll also make sure you understand and are comfortable with exactly what any proposed procedure entails, and we’re available every step of the way to answer questions and put your mind at ease.

The variety of surgical services we offer ranges from spay/neuter to more advanced, specialized procedures, including:

• Laparoscopic
• Gastrointestinal
• Orthopedic
• Dental extractions and oral surgery
• X-ray
• Mass Removal
• Biopsies

When your pet is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions. If any questions arise after your pet returns home or at any other time after surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out. If you have questions about surgery for your pet or want to schedule a surgical consultation, call us at (504) 482-2173.

We’ll also make sure you understand and are comfortable with exactly what any proposed procedure entails, and we’re available every step of the way to answer questions and put your mind at ease.

The variety of surgical services we offer ranges from spay/neuter to more advanced, specialized procedures, including:

• Laparoscopic
• Gastrointestinal
• Orthopedic
• Dental extractions and oral surgery
• X-ray
• Mass Removal
• Biopsies

When your pet is ready to go home, we will review your postoperative care and medication instructions. If any questions arise after your pet returns home or at any other time after surgery, don’t hesitate to reach out. If you have questions about surgery for your pet or want to schedule a surgical consultation, call us at (504) 482-2173.

Ultrasonography for pets is identical to that used for humans. A small probe held against the skin and using high-frequency sound waves creates an image of systems and organs in your pet’s body. Ultrasound is painless, completely non-invasive and because they don’t require radiation, they are used to monitor pregnancies and fetal health in breeding pets.

Ultrasound images are produced in real time and can also evaluate the heart as it beats, known as an echocardiogram. Abnormalities in the motion of valves and blood flow can be identified, making ultrasonography an extremely powerful diagnostic tool. Because we can perform this service in house, you get results right away and there are no delays in necessary treatment. Have questions about ultrasounds or need to schedule an appointment for your pet? Call us at (504) 482-2173.

While there are many different types of vaccines, they all work by preparing your pet’s body to defend itself against a virus or bacteria that causes disease. They do this by imitating an infection, causing the body to produce disease-fighting antibodies. Some of the more important vaccinations for pets include:

Rabies
Prevention of this deadly disease is not only extremely important for dogs and cats, it is a legal requirement—and for good reason. With a 99.95% mortality rate, it remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases.

DA2PP—Distemper, Adenovirus-2, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus
Canine distemper is a highly contagious illness that resembles measles for humans, while adenovirus-2 and parainfluenza are related to kennel cough. Parvovirus has a high mortality rate and can survive in an infected area for up to a year.

Leptospirosis
If you have a dog that loves to go on adventures, or even one that spends a lot of time outdoors in a yard where there’s wildlife, then a leptospirosis vaccination is important. This disease is transmitted through direct contact with contaminated urine, water or soil and is zoonotic—meaning it can be passed to humans.

Canine Influenza (CIV)
There has been a significant outbreaks of this highly contagious respiratory disease across the country. Elderly dogs and those with existing heart and lung conditions as well as those who regularly encounter other dogs (through boarding or at dog parks) should be vaccinated.

Bordetella
This is another vaccination you should seriously consider—and may be required—if your dog is a social butterfly. Bordetella causes inflammation of the upper respiratory system which leads to coughing and illness, ultimately exposing your pet to secondary infections.

FIV—Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
FIV is most commonly transmitted through wounds accrued from biting and fighting. There is no cure for FIV, so the best way to avoid it for your cat is by proper prevention.

FeLV—Feline Leukemia Virus
Feline leukemia virus is commonly transmitted when cats groom each other, fight or share a water bowl. The disease can target your cat’s white blood cells, making your feline more vulnerable to serious illness.

Want to know more or need to make an appointment to get your pet vaccinated? Call us at (504) 482-2173.

At Lakeview Veterinary Hospital we perform digital X-rays in house to identify skeletal fractures, soft tissue damage, foreign bodies, and dental disease. While X-rays are non-invasive, some do require that the patient remains completely still, so sedation may be necessary. If needed, the duration of sedation is usually short, and patients recover quickly. Multiple members of our care team will also be there to monitor your pet throughout the procedure. In addition to our team of staff veterinarians, all films are read by a board certified veterinary radiologist.

Another benefit of having digital imaging in house? There is no waiting for results, so your pet can get the necessary treatment sooner. If you have questions about digital diagnostics or need to schedule your pet for an appointment, just give us a call us at (504) 482-2173.

If you own one of these unique pets, we encourage you to schedule a complete physical exam and consultation on proper care and feeding. Having one of these pets means that it is important you have a veterinarian who understands how to handle and treat their unique illnesses. When pet owners have access to the best information about nutritional and environmental management, exotic pets have a greater chance to live longer, healthier lives. Our trained staff can assist you with all of your exotic pet’s needs.

Make an appointment online or give us a call at (504) 482-2173.

ALL of these animals require a particular environment and specific feeding regimen to thrive. It is very common for reptilian pets to suffer from malnutrition due to an inadequate diet. This is not as a result of neglectful owners, but more because of a lack of thorough knowledge regarding what these animals need to stay healthy.

Reptiles can also be some of the most difficult animals to diagnose when they have a health problem, so it’s important your pet has an annual exam. We recommend bringing a photo of your pet in its enclosure so that we can offer you tips about how to optimize their living conditions and ensure they are getting what they need to have a happy and healthy life. We also ask that you please fill out our Reptile Husbandry Form to help us determine any areas which may need improvement.

If you have any questions or concerns about caring for your reptile or want to schedule an appointment, call us at (504) 482-2173.

At Lakeview Veterinary Hospital, our caring staff and doctors will walk with you through the end of life process, offering compassionate hospice care that ensures your pet’s comfort and dignity. We offer a comfort room for euthanasia. In some cases, this may be performed in your home to make it easier on you and your pet. We can also assist you with aftercare, including cremation, memorials for remains, and any special requests you might have.

If you are struggling with a sick, elderly, or terminally ill pet, please know we are here for you. Call us at (504) 482-2173 and let us know how we can help.